ANNUAL REPORT 2015

2

I n s id e :

Ch a i rm an ’ s R e p o r t 4

Ch i e f Ex e c u t i v e O f f i c e r ’ s R e po r t 6

HE LP S e r v i c e s 10

HE LP B us in es s es 24

HE LP P e op l e 28

HE LP F inan c es 36

HELP Enterprises 520 Curtin Avenue East Eagle Farm Qld 4009 P: 07 3868 1765

enquiries@helpenterprises.com.au www.helpenterprises.com.au

Front cover: Norelle Ruediger, 30, has been with HELP for nearly seven years. She has seen her original

workplace in Packing & Assembly transformed into a modern Supply Chain Services and 3PL operation.

“Eac h ye a r y o u r sup por t

[ o f p eop le w i th d i sa b i l i -

t i e s ] a t t he coa l f a ce j u s t

ge t s be t t e r a nd be t t e r.”

- Pau l La r combe , Qua l i t y A s sur -

an ce Aud i to r , D i sab i l i t y A cce s s Aud i -

t o r , D i sa b i l i t y Con su l tan t . F eb rua ry

2015

3

Ou r Pu rpose

HE LP En t e rp r i s e s ex i s t s t o en ha nc e th e l i f e s t y l e and i nd ep e nd en c e o f

pe o p l e w h o l i v e w i t h d i sa b i l i t i e s .

Ou r V i s i o n

To c r ea t e a t ru s t ed a nd va l u es -b as ed S o c i a l En t e rp r i s e w h i c h c a r e f u l l y

ba la nc es t he p r o v i s i o n o f q ua l i t y , i nd i v id u a l i s e d s e r v i c e s w i t h l on g- t e r m f i -

nanc i a l s t ab i l i t y .

Ou r D i v i s i o ns & Se r v i c e s

D isa b i l i t y S u pp o r t A c c om m o dat i on & R es p i t e

Op en E mp l o ym en t & T r a i n i ng

C om m e r c ia l B us in es s es w i t h Su pp o r t e d E m p l o y m en t .

Ou r Go a l s 20 15 - 20 18

D r i v e f in an c i a l s t r e ng th and s us t a ina b i l i t y

S uc c es s f u l l y p a r t i c i pa t e in h o us in g and r e s p i t e

Pr e pa r e o u r s t ak e h o l de r s an d s e r v i ce s f o r N DI S

D ev e l o p an d d e l i v e r q ua l i t y l i f e s t y l e a nd l i f e s k i l l s s e rv i c e s f o r p e op l e

w i t h d i s ab i l i t i e s .

WHAT WE DO AND WANT TO ACHIEVE

WHAT WE STAND FOR

Brand va lue s

S up e r i o r q u a l i t y

R e l iab i l i t y

I nn ov a t i on

Pr o g r e s s i ve t h ink ing

Va l u e f o r m on ey

Ope ra t i ng va l ue s

Hon e s t y an d in t e g r i t y

Ou r r ep u ta t i on

R esp e c t f o r e a ch o th e r

Ou r r e la t i o n s h i p s w i t h C om m un i t y , C us t o m e rs , C a re r s an d G o v e rn m en t s .

4

AS HELP ENTERPRISES continues to grow and prepares itself for a new future under the NDIS,

the role of the Board also increases and it is imperative that we have the right mix of skills that

align with future strategy in order that we can continue to provide good governance and support

for management.

We are entering a period where the importance of staying on

Mission and continuing to treat every client as an individual

needs to remain at the heart of what we do. The need to stay

closely linked to the communities in which we serve must not be

overlooked and I am sure that this is now in our organisation’s

DNA. At the heart of it all, the Board and Executive Team will not lose sight of our mission to En-

hance the Lifestyle and Independence of People who live with Disabilities.

The right mix of business and disability support must be maintained to ensure our organisation’s

sustainability over the long term is not put at risk. An abridged version of our Charter and three

year objectives is included in this report (p.3) and will set the scene for the organisation’s three

key areas of focus. It is a simple but powerful document and we will make every effort to live up

to its standards and to achieve our objectives.

As reported in 2014, an external review of Board performance was undertaken and a number of

recommendations received. New committees were formed to ensure effective governance in

what has been a year of unprecedented growth and to help steer our path going forward. These

committees focus on ‘Strategy’, ‘Audit & Risk’ and ‘Nominations, Remuneration & Succession

Planning’ and will continue to ensure HELP stays on track through what we expect will be a peri-

od of rapid and wide-ranging change for the disability sector. It seems that every area of our op-

erations is under government review making for uncertain and less predictable times ahead.

This year’s growth, the prospects that new Employment Contracts bring, and the opportunities

arising from our investment in Acacia Ridge all mean we have a hectic time ahead. We are now

looking forward to a year of consolidation. The Strategy Committee, together with Management,

has revised our Charter and put in place a three-year Strategic Plan. This will underpin our ser-

vice, our investment strategy and our growth and risk strategy. We are faced with most interest-

ing and challenging times, but I believe the Board, the Executive Team and the organisation in

general are well placed to face these challenges.

At its heart, HELP remains a values-based organisation. It is those values that underpin our rela-

tionships with our Staff, Community, Clients, Customers and Governments. It is those values that

underpin everything we do and how we do it. It is those values that will enable HELP to survive

the commercialisation of the disability sector.

My thanks go to my Co-Directors and to the Executive management team and all staff at Help

Enterprises for their time and commitment to the organisation during a very busy year.

Anthony Wetmore

Chairman

Staying on Mission ...

The heart of what we

do.

CHAIRMAN’S

REPORT

5

Help Board of Directors

Top row: Garry Butler, Catherine Miller, Ross Beasley

Middle row: Deputy Chairman Graham Yates; Chairman Anthony Wetmore, CEO Kerry Browne

Bottom row: Ross Wilding; Helen Skippen; Phillip Hourigan.

6

THIS YEAR WE welcomed the team from MACH1 at Sunnybank Hills and Ipswich, and KALP at

Geebung. Between the two mergers, HELP has doubled the number of our supported employ-

ees and increased the number of participants in programs. The induction into HELP for both

organisations has been completed and I congratulate all those involved in the process for your

considerable efforts. At every step along the way the wellbeing of the participants and staff has

been foremost in our actions. The growth certainly tested HELP’s capacity but twelve months

down the track we are pleased to be able to look back and be satisfied with the outcome.

In November, we signed a Heads of Agreement to purchase a new Warehouse and Distribution

Facility at Acacia Ridge to improve the conditions and work opportunities for many of our Sun-

nybank Hills’ team and to provide additional job opportunities for people living with disabilities in

the region. HELP is investing some $5m into the project and we were pleased to receive fund-

ing assistance from the Federal Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF) which

recognised the benefit of the Supply Chain Services investment opportunity. Concluding the

purchase has proven to be a very long and at times frustrating process. I am pleased to advise

that the deal has now been completed and we will open the new facility late in 2015.

The numbers of participants accessing our Disability Support Services has grown steadily in

2015 with some 160 people now receiving our support. Wynnum is now fully online and Ascot

has opened. Both these locations provide a pleasant learning environment for the range of edu-

cational programs now being conducted. A further upside to the investment at Acacia Ridge is

the freeing up of space at our Sunnybank Hills Hub to provide more disability support opportuni-

ties for younger people in the region living with disabilities.

With changes of government come inevitable changes to the approaches to Training and Em-

ployment services. This year, senior management has had to put in an unprecedented amount

of time into tendering for service contracts.

In March, Help Employment was awarded new contracts for Disability Management Services at

17 locations across South-East Queensland. On top of this, we saw the Jobs Services Australia

program discontinued and replaced by a new federal initiative called ‘jobactive.’ Nationally, only

44 contracts were issued and I am pleased to say that HELP has been awarded a contract for

Opposite page: The Help Executive Team

Standing: General Manager Organisation Development Dianne Avenell, General Manager

Manufacturing & Supply Chain Services Denver Fresser, CEO Kerry Browne and General Man-

ager Disability Support Services Simon Wright;

Seated: General Manager Commercial Strategy & Risk Russell Johnston, General Manager Em-

ployment & Training Nunzia Confessore and CFO Justin Evans.

CEO / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

REPORT

7

South-East Queensland. We now operate 35 Employment and Training sites from

Tweed Heads to Caboolture and the team managed to get every location operational by

the deadline of 1 July.

This year the Board approved an extension to our Eagle Farm Offices to accommodate

the management team and administration from Employment & Training who are cur-

rently housed at Nundah. The constant disruption to business from the redevelopment

of Nundah Central and the need to more fully integrate our various business units was

behind the decision. Construction will commence in the third quarter in 2015 with the

staff expected to relocate early in 2016.

The Mitchelton Housing Project is slowly moving towards receiving Development Ap-

proval. Once that is secured, work will hopefully commence immediately. In the interim,

the need for proper housing for people with disabilities has not diminished and we can

only encourage and support those involved in delivering this project to continue to work

towards its completion.

I would like to thank and congratulate the Executive team and all staff who have worked

tirelessly this year in an effort to prepare Help Enterprises for the introduction of the

NDIS and for successfully achieving the organisation’s 2015 Strategic Objectives.

Kerry Browne

CEO / Executive Director

8

The new Supply Chain Services site in McCotter Street at Acacia Ridge that will provide another

25,000m3 of warehousing space opening late 2015.

9

10

THE LAST 12 MONTHS have been a time for consolidation for the Disability Support Services

Division (DSS). At the close of the last year, HELP had finalised the merger with KALP in Gee-

bung and MACH 1 encompassing the Sunnybank Hills and Ipswich sites. DSS now supports

more people in individual and group arrangements than ever before with our total of participants

now reaching 160.

All of the participants who were original members of KALP have enjoyed a smooth transition

into HELP and we have maintained strong family connections as well as engendering a feeling

of stability and sustainability within the stakeholder group.

In response to a need for greater resources, in particular the need for transport options for par-

ticipants accessing community participation, we have invested in vehicles for the program to

ensure community participation goals were able to be met. The Geebung Hub also benefitted

from a refurbishment as we added two individual rooms which allow concurrent activities to take

place, as well as a space for staff to complete administrative requirements.

The former Carole Park site transitioned to the Sunnybank Hills Hub and now easily accesses

work experience opportunities, for those participants who wish to try their hand in Supply Chain

Services which currently operates from the same location.

Similarly, the consolidation and growth has continued across the other hubs. Mitchelton has

continued to strengthen participant numbers and community connections as has the Wynnum

Hub which has not only enjoyed the introduction of new participants but continues to strengthen

its place in the community through programs in partnership with local schools and the local

council.

The Ascot Hub opened for business and will grow with new participants in 2016 as we see the

next group of school leavers transition. We have also begun providing learning and life skills

support at Ipswich to compliment the support we provide to our employees there. We are also

networking in the area to build our numbers for 2016 to provide support for school-leavers in

that area of high need.

In preparation for the impending impact of the NDIS in Queensland we have moved the support

function within our businesses for our employees into DSS. This enables one team to manage

all support as we transition to a new era in which individuals will have access to and choice

about what support they need and who will deliver that support. In making this change, we have

created a single entry point to the organisation and can plan with each individual how we are

best able to support them and in which area of our business they can best benefit.

DSS continues to expand its participant base and its staff skills through the consolidation of

quality systems that will ensure our sustainability in a changing sector.

In closing, I would like to thank all the staff who day in and day out, provide the high quality sup-

port that our clients expect from us at Help Enterprises.

DISABILITY SUPPORT

SERVICES

11

A STAFF INITIATIVE and the desire

to support a community project has

brought Chris Kheen, Manager of

Jack Purcell’s Bulk Meat Warehouse at Virginia, and the HELP Geebung Hub together.

Support worker Greg Kennedy saw an opportunity to build community relationships

through the Hubs’ gardening program and so set about utilising more of their garden

beds to grow parsley. Program participants Kristen, Jason, Michael, Billy and Nick visit-

ed some local businesses and this is when they met Chris at Jack Purcell’s Meat Ware-

house.

Chris was more than happy to take as many bunches of parsley as we could offer to

support the program and donates money

for each bunch of parsley.

The parsley program participants now de-

liver five bunches of parsley twice a week

and have been able to increase their pars-

ley production by using their donations to

buy more seeds, fertiliser and equipment

to help expand the project. Production is

set to double by the end of the year.

The venture has taught participants re-

sponsibility, valuable lessons in teamwork,

literacy and numeracy and money handling

skills. They have already met to discuss

how they can use some of their hard-

earned income to have a team celebration

at the end of the year.

Above : Jason Nicol (left) and Kristin McLaughlin (right) deliver their produce to Chris Kheen,

Manager of Jack Purcell Bulk Meats.

THE PARSELY PROJECT

12

IN 2014 WE REPORTED a very exciting

initiative with the Australian Defence Force.

Help Enterprises successfully tendered to

provide assistance with a range of administrative services to the Australian Defence Force at

Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera.

The Defence Administrative Assistance Program (DAAP) team began work in September. The

team comprises eleven workers and a Help Support Worker and is rostered over the week be-

tween 9am and 3.30pm to file, shred, do mail-outs, compile information packs, scan hardcopy

files to electronic records, transfer electronic promotional material to USB sticks and any other

administrative tasks required by personnel at the Barracks.

The team has been warmly embraced by staff there and has settled into the environment very

successfully. The participants’ work skills and work ethic have developed rapidly over the last

12 months and often receive very positive feedback.

The DAAP contract was initially for a 12 month period but due to the success of the group the

contract was recently renewed for a three-year period. It is hoped that in the near future the

size of the team will double and a new team may commence at Amberley Air Base performing

similar administrative functions.

Above : Some of the DAAP members (L-R:) Andrew Hall, Betsy McCourtie, Emma McCourtie and

William Sondergeld.

THE DEFENCE PROJECT

13

FOLLOWING THE

almost instant

positive feedback given by long-term customers and new sales enquiries generated

from the construction of our first shade house last year, the decision was made to

duplicate the structure this year. This gave us capacity to grow an even larger, more

diverse product range, generating greater interest from the broader market and re-

sulting in better sales growth.

It is evident that staff, customers, participants and visitors alike are drawn to the

beautiful shady selection of plants in the shade houses that bring a calming respite

from the sometimes hot uncomfortable working conditions and gives better scope to

engage people in worthwhile outdoor activity even during the warmer months of the

year. With this in mind, plans are afoot to further increase capacity, leading us into

broader opportunities growing indoor plants which could well play a greater role in

servicing Help Enterprises’ ever-growing office “greening” requirements.

Oxford Park Nursery—

Helping you breathe.

OXFORD PARK NURSERY ~ TWICE AS GOOD

14

THE DSS TEAMS are always seeking out

initiatives that will enhance our participants'

skills. At the Sunnybank Hub this year one

such initiative has connected them to the community in a very meaningful way.

The project began with the goal to refine participants' fine motor, problem solving and life skills.

With a sewing machine and materials sourced from parents and a local second-hand shop, par-

ticipants set about sewing pouches for orphaned baby animals for a volunteer animal organisa-

tion called Brisbane Area Rescue Network (BARN.) BARN, is a non-profit wildlife care organisa-

tion dedicated to returning injured or orphaned native wildlife in optimum condition back to its

natural environment

With constant encouragement, some participants cut out the patterns and others did the sewing.

The sewing was a special task as the pouches had to be stitched in a way that the stitches were

on the outside of the pouches and inside was seamless. This ensured that the animals' claws

did not get caught.

BARN wanted to acknowledge our participants' efforts so the suggestion was made to put the

HELP logos on the pouches. This again gave our participants another opportunity to develop

their life skills as they ironed the HELP logo on each pouch.

The reward was priceless for our participants when they saw the photos of the baby animals

using those pouches. Intense satisfaction and a feeling of making a worthy contribution to a

community need, was felt by both the participants and the staff members who were guiding

them at every step of this great project.

Below: An injured joey warm and snug thanks to the team at Sunnybank Hills.

IT’S A WILD LIFE

15

AT THE WYNNUM HUB three young men

are learning to make healthy choices

about the foods they eat. With the assis-

tance of their Support Worker Dylan, Ethan, Sumeet and Brendan decide a menu for

their Wednesday lunch, shop for ingredients and then prepare the meal. Their enthusi-

asm is driving impressive results as they begin to understand the importance of good

nutrition, learn how to source the ingredients, prepare for the table and clean up after-

wards.

In the photograph below, the delicious fish and salad dishes are the result of the careful

planning and preparation by the young men. Ethan believes all their dishes are “10 out

of 10 ... and should be on Master Chef.”

Right: Budding Master Chefs—Ethan,

Sumeet and Brendan proudly display the

results of their hospitality skills at the

Wynnum Hub.

MASTERCHEFS

DSS programs aim to build

life skills for participants

that will enhance their

independence and

personal development.

16

EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING SERVICES

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING was presented with many opportunities in the past 12 months.

E&T established new geographic locations and new services to job seekers and students with

specialised needs. We prepared and submitted in excess of 40 separate tenders during this

period for DES, jobactive and Training.

As reported earlier in the Chairman’s report, winning DMS business has given us the oppor-

tunity of delivering the contract within our existing employment sites across the north and outer

north of Brisbane where we already deliver DES-Employment Support Service (ESS). We now

service over 600 job seekers through our DES Contracts including Mental Health Employment

Services across South East Qld.

Across all employment contacts over the past 12 months, we placed over 1000 job seekers

into work, over 700 of whom were people with a disability.

This year we took the opportunity to re-focus our target market in Training with a strong em-

phasis on helping young people in schools and other disadvantaged groups including our work

with Queensland Correctional Services and Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre. We trained

close to 300 students with a disability, 200 school students and over 600 disadvantaged

young people in correctional centres.

Fison Food Factory continues to service our staff and local employees in the Eagle Farm area

with delicious food options and operates as a Training Centre for the delivery of short courses

and Certificate courses in Hospitality.

Our growth and investment in new contracts, staff and infrastructure during the past year will

ensure we build a sustainable long-term successful E&T business that will support our mission

to help people with specialised needs gain skills, confidence and work.

“Help is one of the few remaining employment support services in this

region that is founded on the principals of disability support and special-

ist provision. Having worked with many of Help’s staff over the years, and

understanding their core commitment to the support of people with disa-

bilities, they are one of the few services that I would happily recommend

to a job seeker with a disability or a business exploring the possibility of

employing a person with a disability.”

Melanie Armstrong – CEO, The Spectrum Organisation

17

WHEN LYNDAL SIGNED UP at our

Deception Bay DMS office earlier

this year she had been out of work for two years. She had a wealth of kitchen and cook-

ing skills experience and had been looking “everywhere” for a very long time handing out

her resume—but getting no response. She had lost her confidence and knew she need-

ed some support to get a job.

That support was soon there for Lyndal and her details and resume were presented to

prospective employers. When the Manager of Meals on Wheels Pine Rivers & District

Wendy Smith heard of Lyndal from HELP Consultant Rod Freiberg, she wanted to see

her straight away.

Rod drove Lyndal to the interview which went so well that Wendy offered her a paid po-

sition in the kitchen at Petrie on the spot. Lyndal started work the next day.

Since then, Lyndal has proven herself to be a valued employee. She is working 25 to 30

hours every week and everyone is happy with her performance, attitude and overall de-

meanour. Lyndal has got her confidence back and a sense of pride because she is

working again.

Meals on Wheels at Pine Rivers has also become a key host for our Work for the Dole

scheme.

Below: Lyndal (centre) with new colleagues at Meals on Wheels—Assistant Manager

Jan Smith (left) and Manager Wendy Smith (right).

BACK INTO EMPLOYMENT

18

What Employers say about HELP

As Director and owner of Strathpine Trainease Child Care Centre, I have had the great pleas-

ure and opportunity to work hand in hand with Help Employment. I have found Rod and the

HELP organisation to be professional, courteous and helpful at all times. We have worked

hand in hand on many occasions to find suitable places with great hope for wonderful out-

comes for the clients, HELP Employment and our centre.

I am proud of the staff Rod has introduced to this centre and see the great changes in their

lives and general well-being as they grow and develop over the years.

Robyn Heathwood – Director, Strathpine Trainease Station Child Care Centre

At Northstate Woodwork, we always strive to find the most suitable, hardworking and loyal

employee. Over the past couple of years we have had success with utilising the services of

Help Employment. We have found their level of service and assistance to be reliable, prompt

and professional. I can recommend this organisation to others out there if they are ever strug-

gling to find willing, experienced and able workers.

Chris Lee – Managing Director, Northstate Woodwork Company

19

JUNIOR (pictured below) has been in receipt of a

Disability Support Pension since his late teens

following the diagnosis of Diabetes, heart concerns and Schizophrenia.

After years of hospitalisations and supported living Junior came to Help Employment

wanting to engage in the community and prove his worth to an employer. Focusing on

Junior’s natural talents and creative streak, HELP consultants actively marketed him to

a number of employers.

The outcome—Junior will soon celebrate six months of continual employment (his first

job ever!) as a Marketing and Promotions Assistant for a giftware and marketing firm.

Junior has taken to working life like a duck to water and he reports that his work keeps

him very busy. So busy that he has to schedule his many extra-curricular activities—line

dancing, swimming, crafting and scrapbooking and singing, around his work commit-

ments.

Junior is a shining example of how with the right attitude and good support, those with

significant barriers to employment can shine, and how HELP as an employment service

can find and create worthwhile roles for individuals, regardless of conditions or diagno-

ses.

FIRST JOB

Right: Junior with some

of the promotional ma-

terial involved in his

new job.

20

From Caboolture (above) to Coolangatta (below) and all places in between.

Getting ready for the launch of jobactive on 1 July.

21

FROM INDONESIA TO NEW ZEALAND to

Australia– it was a roundabout journey

that brought Erwin and his family to Australia in 2009. Three years later Erwin began

work with HELP and has enjoyed every day of it. Starting as a detailer for the many Em-

ployment & Training division fleet vehicles, Erwin this year added ‘kitchen-hand’ to his

repertoire. He is pictured below in the Fison Food Factory.

Erwin believes HELP is an exciting company to work for as, “everyone I work with is

great and I love helping people,” he said. He has also loved being able to meet lots of

new people.

Erwin can not live without Facebook as he loves being

able to connect with family and friends and when not

on Facebook likes to go shopping and watch movies.

His taste in music is pretty eclectic counting Bee Gees,

Spice Girls, Elvis and ABBA amongst his favourite artists and groups. His taste in food

however is a little more mundane—dim sims, chips and milkshakes are his choice from

the Fison Food Factory menu!!

ERWIN’S JOURNEY

“Everyone I work with is

great and I love

helping people.”

22

“I’d like to say thank you to Help Enterprises and a

special thank you to my wonderful trainer Sue for

all the help and support she has given me whilst

studying my Cert II in Business Administration.

Without her I would have never completed my

course. Sue is an amazing lady and words cannot

begin to describe how grateful I am to her. Thank

you Sue and Help Enterprises for everything!”

Demi-Marie Russell – Certificate II Business Ad-

ministration Trainee

Left: Trainer Sue Sykes with Demi-Marie.

Lucy, Michelle and Liz—

members of the DES team at

Nundah.

23

Below: Always a hit at Expos, HELP’s Employment & Training truck is now proving popular in schools.

THE TRAINING TRUCK has been used for

various activities since its arrival in December

2014. Four schools have had access to the truck: Glenala State High , Tullawong State

High, Brisbane Bayside State College and Kedron State High. It has enabled us to bring

practical activities to the schools to assist us in delivering training to students in the au-

tomotive industry. Certificate II Automotive Servicing Technology is the qualification be-

ing delivered to students in years 10 – 12 and this training is done both at the School

and at our automotive workshop at Nundah.

The Truck has been a great attraction at a number of Training and Employment expos in

2015. Watch this space though, as our truck is about to go through another transfor-

mation.

AUTO ON THE ROAD

24

MANUFACTURING

THE EVOLUTION of the Manufacturing division continues to gather pace and new records were

set for total sales. However, as our order book continues to grow, our physical facilities at Ea-

gle Farm cannot. We have literally used up every last centimetre of space. Therefore, to in-

crease productivity and to ensure we remain competitive, we have

had to get even smarter about how we operate the business.

Quite simply, LEAN manufacturing is about making things simpler.

Yes, we have to get simpler to get smarter. It is all about minimising

waste—minimising waste of raw materials, minimising waste of la-

bour, and minimising wastes of space and time. LEAN manufacturing is about breaking every-

thing down into the most basic of steps and analysing how each process or step in the manu-

facturing process can be done simpler and easier and by eliminating all waste.

The outcomes of this method are decreased cycle time, less inventory required, increased

productivity and increased capital equipment utilisation. The real bonus that LEAN offers Help

Manufacturing is by creating more employment opportunities for people with disabilities within

the manufacturing environment by simplifying the complexity of each step.

The result of applying this approach has seen the division broken down into process groups

rather than product groups. What was once a loose amalgamation of several separate entities

all operating under the Manufacturing banner, i.e. Mailsafe, Engineering and Traditional and

It’s time to get

LEAN ...

25

Malibu Awnings, is now one truly unified entity. Instead of teams being based on the

products or brands that they make, we now have teams of welders, cutters, assem-

blers, powder-coaters, detailers, installers and general hands. This allows us to look at

our products at the component level and make much better use of our labour and re-

sources overall.

These components are then assembled to make our various products that are market-

ed and sold under our stable of brands such as —Mailsafe, Binsafe, Traditional & Mal-

ibu Awnings, Mini Garage and Clearshield Security Doors and Screens.

This process is essential for Australian manufacturing to survive in a globally competi-

tive environment.

Below: Antony busy welding another T&MA product.

26

SUPPLY CHAIN SERVICES

THE SUPPLY CHAIN SERVICES business is our largest employer of people with disabilities and

is all about partnerships.

SCS provides essential third party logistics including warehousing in partnership with our cli-

ents’ businesses. We are not marketing or selling our own products

but we are instead, selling our services and warehouse and assembly

capacity. Through this capability we are value-adding to our custom-

ers’ products.

The nature of our partnership with our customers depends on their

individual needs. We might be receiving and unloading containers

and warehousing products for one client or assembling products

for another. We might be manufacturing and distributing products

for someone else. The important part is that we ‘partner up’ and

add value to their offering along the way. Our strength is being

able to do this consistently and is clearly reflected in the extremely

long-term partnerships we enjoy with companies such as Danley

and Bri-Tech, and the extension of contracts held with the likes of

Translink.

The results of these successful partnerships has seen several years of growth and a doubling

of jobs for people with disabilities in the process.

Supply Chain Services has now outgrown its footprint at Eagle Farm so the decision was

made to replicate the successful model on the south side of Brisbane to service the southern

and western industrial corridors.

Partnering our way

to success ...

27

Below L-R: James H, Malcolm J and James F assemble and pack Diamond TM Dowels for Danley Construction

Solutions. The product is suited for construction joints in concrete slabs and pavements.

A warehouse was required that would allow the processing work currently undertaken at

Sunnybank Hills to continue, but which would also accommodate high density ware-

housing so that we could value-add 3PL services to new customers.

A warehouse that ticked all the boxes was found in Acacia Ridge and, in continuing with

our theme of partnering, the Federal Government teamed up with us and awarded us a

$2.475M grant via their National Stronger Regions Fund. HELP contributed a further

$2.525m to complete the $5M project. The Acacia Ridge facility will create more region-

al employment opportunities for both abled bodied and people with disabilities.

Some of our Sunnybank Hills staff will relocate to get the new facility underway and are

very excited about their new workplace .

Help Supply Chain Services would like to thank all of their partners for their continued

support.

28

HELP PEOPLE

HELP IS ALL about people—those we support and those who are employed to provide that sup-

port. The growth of the past 12 months is reflected in our staff numbers with a headcount in-

crease from 387 to 514. It is expected that another 50-60 staff will join us as the jobactive con-

tract is rolled out over the coming months.

We continue to provide employment in a supported environment for about 200 people who live

with disabilities. Our 18 sites have expanded to over 40 and extend from Bribie Island to South

Tweed Heads and out to Ipswich. We always aim to provide modern and comfortable workplac-

es for our staff.

The broad spectrum of positions within the company can be seen in some of our recruitment

campaigns. At any time we might be looking for Welders, Factory Workers or Employment Con-

sultants at the same time as Accountants, Support Workers or Hospitality staff.

We remain a culturally diverse organisation that enjoys a balanced age and gender profile and

an organisation dedicated to ensuring the professional development of its staff.

47%53%

GENDER PROFILE %

FEMALE

MALE

0.6

27.8

24.326.2

21.2

> 17 18-30 31-40 41-50 51 <

AGE PROFILE

Right: General Manager Disability Support Services

Simon Wright with DSS Financial Accountant Sze

Kew Chaik .

29

THE EMPLOYEES IN SCS and Manufactur-

ing touch people’s lives every day without

those people knowing it. A walk through our warehouses and sheds can soon illuminate.

If you use a gocard, consult a bus or train timetable or lean on a bus stop sign, then HELP’s em-

ployees have touched you. All those Translink products are warehoused and distributed from

our Eagle Farm facility.

If you fly Emirates and use the headsets, shop at Aldi, buy show bags at the Ekka or use your

MaxTrax to get your 4WD out of the bog, then HELP employees have touched you.

Your electricity supply is probably assured by the surge arresters on the power poles in your

street. More than likely they were assembled by SCS employees for our long-standing customer

Britech.

If you swim safely at Queensland beaches it may be due to the shark nets we weave for the De-

partment of Fisheries.

Your rubbish was probably thrown into one the BinSafes we make for Queensland Rail or Bris-

bane (and other) City Councils.

As Australia’s leading manufacturer of mailboxes, your mailbox may have been manufactured by

HELP.

You may be sitting on the balcony of your high-rise apartment protected from the elements by

our T&MA screens and balustrades or even enjoying a Big Mac at a McDonalds Restaurant

in which Help manufacturing played a part.

People with disabilities really do contribute to our society in so many ways and we would like to

acknowledge all those long standing customers who create the opportunities for them everyday.

TOUCHING LIVES

Below: Some of the Supply Chain Services staff

Back Row: Peter S, James B, Jackson H, Matt S, Matt G, Gordon B and Ross B

Centre Row: Ben M, James W, Barry L, John C, Jamie F, Brendan S, and Kevin L

Front Row: Melinda F, Natalie B, Ruth M and Dan S.

30

Left: Glenys Rye (left and

insert) assisting Janet at

work in SCS at Sunnybank

Hills.

GLENYS RYE, EMPLOYEE SERVICES OFFICER in Supply Chain Services loves working for

HELP. “It is a great place and I look forward to coming every day, there is never a dull moment

and our site is the happiest place I have ever worked in so it is a pleasure to be here,” Glenys

said. She gets “great satisfaction working with my co-workers and supported employees and we

really enjoy what we are all doing.” Since joining HELP Glenys has also been given the oppor-

tunity “to gain new skills and take on tasks that I would not ordinarily have done before.” She

admitted too that “with all my years of experience and qualifications in the Disability sector I

thought I had done it all—but how wrong I was.”

The lovely woman photographed with Glenys (above) is Janet Weston. Glenys describes her as

“a true character” and long time worker at Sunnybank Hills. When Glenys first started on site

Janet was a very angry, negative person who only wanted to work on screws (putting on wash-

ers and bolts) because she was told she could not do anything else. Glenys is pleased to say

that with support and training Janet can now do most jobs and is a changed person. “Who knew

she could be so happy and love coming to work?” Her changed disposition and quick wit has

earned Janet the title of ‘Cheeky-Chops.’

I thought I had done

it all ... but how

wrong I was.

31

IF ANYONE CAN ATTEST to the changes at

HELP over the past few years it is Kelly Fels

(pictured below).

Kelly came to HELP in 2001 as a Business Administration Trainee and worked out of our old ad-

ministration block in Fison Avenue East at Eagle Farm, one of only two HELP sites—the other

was a small employment office in Nundah.

It was from Eagle Farm that Kelly learned the manufacturing, engineering and packaging and

assembly businesses and, after a short break away at the end of her traineeship, returned to be-

come the Sales Coordinator for Mailsafe.

She added a Certificate IV in Frontline Management in the following years before marrying and

having her first child. Upon her return she moved into the Finance and Accounting team and

there added more strings to her bow—AR, AP, Payroll, Quality.

Recognised for her ability, in 2010 Kelly was

assigned to Employment Services (grown to

seven sites across Brisbane North and outer

North) at Nundah Street as Assistant Account-

ant and began a Diploma of Management.

When Kelly returned from family leave a sec-

ond time she found herself back at Eagle Farm

and about to embark on the next stage of her

career. Taking on the Quality Management

Systems (QMS) coordination role in the newly

formed Organisation Development Department

in early 2011, Kelly soon learned the im-

portance of having robust management sys-

tems in place to support growth.

Her role was expanded when Payroll was

transferred to the OD department and Kelly

could build on her earlier experience to run this

function. She did just that and in 2015 was

promoted to Manager Systems & Payroll.

Kelly has been part of the evolution of HELP

into the very complex and diverse social enter-

prise it is today. She has seen its value (net

assets) increase nearly eight times, watched

as two sites have become over 40 and mar-

velled as the number of employees grew five-

fold.

FROM TRAINEE TO MANAGER

32

JACKSON HARRIS HAS BEEN

working in Supply Chain Ser-

vices (SCS) at Eagle Farm since November 2013 and has some sage advice for those young

people getting ready to leave school and enter the workforce.

A former student of Craigslea State High School, Jackson was keen to get out into the work-

force so he could earn money and make new friends. He works four days a week and enjoys

the variety of jobs in SCS. His favourite job is the Emirates Airline headsets but is happy to

work on whatever job needs doing. Packing showbags for the Ekka is okay too but “you have

to be fast at that,” Jackson said.

When asked what he would tell school leavers now after his experience in work, he said: “look

out for multiple jobs; go for jobs you are good at and can settle into easy; try to be productive

and a good worker; be friendly to others and always try to make friends; and most of all have

fun and enjoy what you do.”

Left: Jackson Harris at work at

Eagle Farm

ADVICE FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS

33

IT WAS WITH GREAT SADNESS that we bid fare-

well last September to a highly regarded col-

league in Scott Williams.

Scott (pictured below) was featured in the 2012 Annual Report and described as

‘dedicated, motivated and willing to help.’ He provided support and motivation to im-

prove skills and attitudes for a number of employees in Supply Chain Services. Brendan

Southward is one young man who benefitted from Scotty’s wisdom. “He taught me to

take one step at a time and if I get stressed to walk away,” recalled Brendan.

Scott travelled from Caloundra every day and when asked why he replied that he had

“never thought about leaving as I like the people I work with.”

During his 10 years at HELP Scott represented his colleagues on numerous committees

and working groups. He was always a very modest and humble man and always patient

with others.

Scott passed away after a period of illness. He is missed by his family and by his col-

leagues.

“There are others who

have a better story than

mine and work just as

hard, maybe you should

write about them.”

Vale Scotty

SAD FAREWELL

34

Left: The SCS team enjoy-

ing a casual Friday. Gen-

eral Manager Manufac-

turing and SCS Denver

Fresser, SCS Manager

Brett Sargeant, Customer

Service & Sales Supervi-

sor Danielle Wren and

Customer Service Officer

Leola Francois.

Above: Some of Supply Chain Services’ valued employees. (L—R) Hank, Graham and Michael. Between

them there is over 26 years of experience.

35

ROBYN LONGLEY (PICTURED BELOW) IS

Front of House Supervisor for The Fison

Food Factory Cafe. When she applied for the position 18 months ago she was looking for

something more challenging but had no idea as to what that might look like.

When Robyn was offered the position at the Cafe she thought “I was just going to work in an-

other cafe but WOW I was pleasantly surprised,” Robyn said. She particularly appreciates the

‘amazing people’ she works with and gets to meet every day.

Helping the students who come to training classes and building their self-confidence is what

makes working at HELP not just another cafe job but “a life changing experience for me and

so rewarding.”

PLEASANTLY SURPRISED

36

Principal Activities

The principal activities of the Company during the course of the financial year were providing

training, development and employment opportunities, consistent with the Disability Services Act

(1986), for people with varying levels and types of disability.

The Company operates as a Not-For-Profit community based social enterprise with a primary

focus of providing supported and open employment, vocational training and post-school services

for people with disabilities through Commonwealth and State Government funding. The Compa-

ny successfully produces and markets a range of products and services in its commercial busi-

ness units to supplement the services offered and provide employment for people with disabili-

ties.

There were no significant changes in the nature of the activities of the Company during the year.

Financial Review

FY15 Performance

During 2015 revenue growth of approximately 24% (2014: 27%) on the prior year contributed to

a 5% increase in composition of revenue sourced from Disability Support Services. This change

is consistent with Help Enterprises (“Help”) objective to continue to develop a revenue base in-

dependent of the provision of Government services in order to further capital investments in so-

cial assets and commercial infrastructure. This also better positions Help in preparation for the

roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (“NDIS”) in 2016.

The strategic intent of the Company is to continue to identify areas of unmet need where the

organisation can apply its specialised services. The profit of the Company for the year ended 30

June 2015 was $1.134 million (2014: $5.764 million including the MACH1 Australia Limited ac-

quisition gain of $4.4 million).

HELP FINANCE

37

Financial Position

Over the past five financial years the Company’s net assets have grown 140% to $21.7

million.

The Company has $14.0 million, or over 55%, of its total assets in tangible assets

(property, plant and equipment) as at 30 June 2015. Liquidity continues to be a key

strength with $7.9 million (2014: $3.8 million) in cash and cash equivalents, which repre-

sents over 30% of total assets and translates into a Current Ratio of 3.6:1.

External Audit Grant Thornton are Help Enterprises’ independent external auditors. The Company’s

FY2015 Financial Report, including Grant Thornton’s unqualified audit report, is available

on request.

Review of Operations

Help Enterprises (“HELP”) continued to provide a specialised range of employment,

training and individualised support services for people with disabilities and other disad-

vantaged job seekers.

Employment operated under a Disability Employment Services (“DES”) contract and a

Job Services Australia (“JSA”) contract. During the financial period HELP successfully

tendered for a new employment contract Disability Management Services (“DMS”). DMS

falls under the ambit of DES. Our north and outer north operations continued to include

offices at Nundah, Mitchelton, Toowong, Redcliffe, Strathpine, Caboolture and Bribie Is-

land. However, with the introduction of the DMS contract, from March this year we re-

quired a presence in the Logan, Ipswich and the Gold Coast regions and consequently

entered into ten short-term lease arrangements in these areas. The existing JSA contract

38

ended on 30 June and has been replaced by the jobactive contract effective 1 July 2015. During

this tender process HELP was awarded additional Employment Services Areas in South East

Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and more locations in north and outer north Brisbane (the Somer-

set region). On 1 July HELP opened 18 new permanent and part time offices, incorporating

some of the temporary DMS locations, and now operates employment services from over 35

locations.

The Help Training Institute continued to provide job skills to people with disabilities and other

disadvantaged job seekers and its services included Corporate Training.

Our Disability Support Services (“DSS”) has established hubs at Mitchelton, Wynnum West and

Sunnybank Hills. On 30 June 2014 Help Enterprises acquired the assets and liabilities of King-

fisher Adult Learning Programs Incorporated (“KALP”), a provider of disability support services,

based at Geebung. During the current financial period DSS also operated from Geebung and

opened a fifth DSS site at Ascot.

The commercial businesses are constantly under review to ensure they are aligned with the mis-

sion. New products continue to be developed in-house to leverage off the MailSafe range of

products and the Traditional & Malibu Awnings’ (“TMA”) product offering. The Supply Chain Ser-

vices business continues to predominantly employ people with disabilities. This business opera-

tion historically based at Eagle Farm also operated from two additional sites located at Sun-

nybank Hills and Ipswich, following the acquisition of MACH1 Australia Limited (“MACH1”) on 27

June 2014.

On 31 August 2015 HELP entered into a contract to purchase a new 25,000 cubic metre ware-

house at Acacia Ridge. This will enable our Supply Chain Services business to grow and expand

our market to the south west and better support our operation at Ipswich, and increase our mar-

ket presence beyond our traditional North Brisbane operations. In addition this investment will

facilitate considerable jobs growth for people living with disabilities and others living in the re-

gion. Some of our team at Sunnybank Hills will progressively transfer to the new site and create

more space and opportunities to expand our Disability Support Services under the NDIS

(National Disability Insurance Scheme). The newly-fitted facilities will also provide space for our

DMS team and some local training.

Growth trend in Disability Support Services (“DSS”) and ADE Supported Employees

86 86 86 86

181 181

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Number of Supported Employees

(Govt. Capped)

27 June 2014 acquisition of MACH1

40

55

70

90

137

159

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Number of DSS Participants

30 June 2014 acquisition of KALP

39

40